Woman Midwest-style

SPRING 1999           It was Friday well before dawn, the first week of the season.  I took a vacation day to turkey hunt, hopeful to get a jump on other hunters who would undoubtedly intrude into that section of property, though it was privately owned.  I loaded the '95 Ranger with my lunch and turkey vest loaded with calls,  water  and two ultra lightweight decoys stuffed in the back.  My 20 gauge safely in its case,  I tucked it and a box of shells behind the cab.         Most folks use a 12 gauge but I got a deal on a used, very nice Ithaca semi-auto 20 gauge pump shotgun.  Its action was smooth and the solid walnut stock gleamed after a good rubdown.  I was ecstatic to own my first real gun after lifelong borrowing to hunt.  No men's own shotgun would fit me, b eing a short woman, so any loaner was appreciated but uncomfortable.  I finally had a gun that fit me an...

It's said that turkeys are the dumbest, smartest critters out there.  And years of hunting them darn birds has proven it can be tiresome and frustrating but also blood-pumping exciting when the plan, my plan comes together.  BOOM!!      A flurry of feathers and the ol' tom backflips to the ground.  The big gobbler flops on the dirt thirty-some yards in front of me, its legs sporadically kicking with wicked talons as big a spread as a man's hand.  The pungent smell of gunpowder wafts into my nostrils -- it's pure exhilaration!  "Yeah!" I holler, my voice echoes down the hill.  I gaze as the big bird's wings flap in reflex to the shot.  I lower my gun, still on high alert to slam the action to shoot again if he gets up to escape.      Leaping forward, almost in disbelief, I scramble to the bird that is still twitching 'like a frog in a frying pan'.  My brain doesn't quite acknowledge yet that it's de...

Spring turkey hunting starting, replace chicken with  wild TURKEY breast!! My Gramma's IRISH CHICKEN POTATO SKILLET DINNER Need small iron skillet,12" iron skillet 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 5 large PorteBella raw 'shrooms, sliced 5 small - 4 med. Russet potatoes 1 can cut green beans 1/4c.*olive oil 1t*butter 1 jar chicken gravy  Option: Add Wine or Beer, not water  Rub: 1t seasoned salt, 1/4t black pepper, 1t gr. Rosemary, 1/4t garlic pwdr.  Peel, quarter and slice potatoes 1/2" thick pieces Trim fat off breasts, rinse, pat dry, apply rub both sides.  Saute' 'shrooms in big skillet till butter coated, add beans w/juice and potatoes, simmer.  Heat the oil in small skillet, sear, braise each Breast, gets a brown crust.  Stir veggies, set meat on top, cover, keep high simmer a few minutes. Scrape spatula under veggies off bottom, layer on top of meat, add water if it sticks. Meat cooks by steam Stir often, lad...

SERIOUS BOWHUNTERS PLAN YEAR ‘ROUND caution graphic photos  ‘Lynx’bow group  before  tuned You   bowhunters all know how it goes. You want to try your  hand at bowhunting, and  Lee and Tiffany     make it look so fun on  The Crush.  And Melissa Bachman and  easton - bowhuntingtv  and  Mark Drury and Jay Gregory  of Iowa, the front-runners of bow hunting. But their bows aren’t cheap so you don’t want to waste your dime trying a new sport, not much money just lying around to spare, so you borrow someone else’s bow. Well so-o, after several years of using my husband’s  daughter’s loaner, a 25 year old  abused  Martin Lynx compound with the quiver secured with twine, I had succeeded in pulling it at a full 41 pounds  draw  and zeroing-in onto that  dime  at thirty  paces after the first photo.  (I got too focused to be concerned with more pictu...

This post is from a reference I used for inhibiting  metastatic breast cancer by cooking freshly caught fish.  Although the "Food" pyramid is  a bit outdated  I believe its information is still very useful regarding eating fish to prevent cancer.  The list includes nearly every kind of fish likely consumed.  Scientific facts do not change, and  because these numbers are valid it warranted a full post.  Seafood and fresh fish is healthy and not just gourmet so it's great to put your taste buds to work eating foods that are good for you too.  'Bon apetit'!          Fish & Seafood  is included in the Healing Foods Pyramid ™ as part of a balanced, whole foods, plant-based diet. This Food Pyramid emphasizes foods that nourish the body, sustain energy over time, contain healing qualities and essential nutrients, and support a sustainable environment. What are the recommended servings of fish & se...